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Triakis Maculata

This shark belongs to the houndshark family, a broad group of shelf and nearshore species with a practical coastal build. In PocketShark, expect a benthic-to-near-benthic predator rather than a flashy pelagic specialist. Houndsharks are usually slender to moderately built coastal sharks with two dorsal fins, an anal fin, and a generally understated gray-brown appearance. Houndsharks occupy temperate, subtropical, and tropical seas around the world, most often on continental shelves and in nearshore habitats.

Triakis maculata
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Overview

This shark belongs to the houndshark family, a broad group of shelf and nearshore species with a practical coastal build. In PocketShark, expect a benthic-to-near-benthic predator rather than a flashy pelagic specialist. Houndsharks are usually slender to moderately built coastal sharks with two dorsal fins, an anal fin, and a generally understated gray-brown appearance. Houndsharks occupy temperate, subtropical, and tropical seas around the world, most often on continental shelves and in nearshore habitats.

Typical habitats include sandy bays, estuaries, rocky shelves, kelp-fringed coasts, reefs, and upper-slope margins.

Why it matters: The family includes both egg-laying and live-bearing species, which is a useful reminder that shark reproduction does not follow one simple rule.

Scientific nameTriakis maculata
FamilyTriakidae
OrderCarcharhiniformes
Max length1.8 m

What this shark is

Houndsharks are usually slender to moderately built coastal sharks with two dorsal fins, an anal fin, and a generally understated gray-brown appearance.

Where it lives

Houndsharks occupy temperate, subtropical, and tropical seas around the world, most often on continental shelves and in nearshore habitats.

Typical habitats include sandy bays, estuaries, rocky shelves, kelp-fringed coasts, reefs, and upper-slope margins.

How it differs from similar sharks

Body shape, size, and habitat are the main cues that separate it from related sharks.

Compare it against Triakis Acutipinna, Triakis Megalopterus, and ドチアパ.

Why it is notable

They are not major problem sharks for people. Fisheries pressure and nursery habitat loss are the more common concerns.

Related shark pages

These links are meant to help readers continue through related species, not force extra clicks.

California Academy of Sciences specimen photograph of Triakis acutipinna in profile; not to scale.
Triakis acutipinna

Triakis Acutipinna

This shark belongs to the houndshark family, a broad group of shelf and nearshore species with a practical coastal build. In PocketShark, expect a benthic-to-near-benthic predator rather than a flashy pelagic specialist.

1.0 m max
Historical illustration of Triakis megalopterus in lateral view; not to scale.
Triakis megalopterus

Triakis Megalopterus

This shark belongs to the houndshark family, a broad group of shelf and nearshore species with a practical coastal build. In PocketShark, expect a benthic-to-near-benthic predator rather than a flashy pelagic specialist.

1.7 m max
Historical illustration of Triakis scyllium in lateral view; not to scale.
Triakis scyllium

ドチアパ

This shark belongs to the houndshark family, a broad group of shelf and nearshore species with a practical coastal build. In PocketShark, expect a benthic-to-near-benthic predator rather than a flashy pelagic specialist.

1.5 m max
Photograph of a leopard shark showing the saddle-like dorsal pattern used for easy coastal identification; not to scale.
Triakis semifasciata

Leopard Shark

Calm coastal shark patterned with dark saddles and spots.

1.8 m maxLeast concern